If one of the kids have a cricket match or a usic recital, etc – there is no computer that day. If they back-chat me, they lose the privilege (how long depends on my mood and how back-chatty-snotty they were). I rarely lift a lost-privilege before the time is up. So, they know I mean business and will follow through.

If they fight, they lose their internet privileges for the whole week. I can’t stand fighting amongst kids — especially mine. It drives me nuts and they have to learn how to work problems out instead of resorting to fighting. If that doesn’t work, I pull the Nintendo DS’s for the week as well. If that doesn’t work, the younger one gets spanked (yes, I spank sometimes) and the 15yo loses phone privileges and anything she’s been planning on the social calendar – even a school dance or prom that’s been paid for (this happened once and she doesn’t mess around when she’s got something good coming up).

They’re pretty good kids. They know I love them. They think I’m a bitch sometimes when I don’t let them have their way (like talking me into lifting the internet ban early). But I tell them I’m doing my job — and if I didn’t love them, I’d take the easy way out and let them do what they want.

If they are ever caught chatting with strangers on the internet, they lose the privilege for one month. We went this route with our daughter last year. She spent three months (not consecutively!) off the computer/internet. She’s been very good this year and goes out of her way to avoid strangers now so she can avoid losing her privileges. I told her if it takes her hating me for a couple of years to keep her safe from HERSELF (her lack of good judgment) then I’m willing to go the mile until she’s starts to show better judgment.

So far it’s working.

I love your site… I’ll be back!

Maybe you could get a beater for them?

That would include you, hon.

I’m willing to go barefoot to have my own computer. Better shoeless than psychotic.